England have ended their 21-year long wait to register an ODI win on Pakistani soil.

England defeated Sri Lanka by 55 runs in their last match of Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026.

England finally had something to celebrate on their Pakistan tour, defeating Sri Lanka by 55 runs in the sixth match of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday, October 29. Ben Duckett’s magnificent century and Liam Dawson’s career-best bowling performance helped Harry Brook’s side end a disappointing campaign with a memorable victory.

Although England were already eliminated from the race for the final after losing their first three matches, the result was significant. It marked their first ODI victory on Pakistani soil since December 2005 and provided a much-needed confidence boost ahead of their upcoming white-ball tour of Australia.

Ben Duckett’s career-best 167 powers England to 386

After Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to bowl, England’s opening pair made the most of a batting-friendly surface. Ben Duckett and Tom Banton provided a strong foundation, adding 163 runs for the first wicket.

Banton played a composed innings of 74 from 75 balls, striking eight fours and two sixes. Duckett, meanwhile, combined patience with attacking strokeplay to put Sri Lanka’s bowlers under sustained pressure.

The left-hander eventually scored 167 off 132 deliveries, hitting 24 fours at a strike rate of 126.52. It was his highest ODI score, surpassing his previous best of 165 against Australia at the same venue during the Champions Trophy in 2025.

Duckett reached his century from 89 balls and accelerated further as the innings progressed. His second consecutive ODI hundred underlined his excellent form, although he fell short of becoming the first England batter to score three successive ODI centuries.

Harry Brook contributed 44 off 34 balls, sharing a 107-run partnership with Duckett for the third wicket. Jordan Cox added 43 from 27 deliveries, while Will Jacks scored 30 off 21 balls and Sam Curran finished unbeaten on 21 from 12 deliveries.

England eventually reached 386/5, recording the highest ODI total at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Pavan Rathnayake’s century keeps Sri Lanka in the contest

Chasing 387 was always going to require an exceptional batting performance, but Sri Lanka refused to surrender without a fight.

After losing Kamindu Mendis early, Avishka Fernando and captain Kusal Mendis steadied the innings. Fernando scored 48 from 50 balls before falling to Liam Dawson, while Mendis produced an aggressive 89 off 71 deliveries, including eight fours and five sixes.

Pavan Rathnayake then took charge of the chase. Continuing his impressive run in the tri-series, the young batter struck 118 from just 77 balls, with 15 fours and a six.

His partnership with Mendis kept Sri Lanka within striking distance, and Rathnayake’s continued aggression briefly raised the possibility of another remarkable chase.

However, England found crucial breakthroughs just as the pressure increased. Joe Root dismissed Mendis, while Dawson removed Rathnayake for his second century of the tournament.

Sri Lanka’s resistance collapsed towards the end as they lost their final five wickets for just 16 runs, eventually being bowled out for 331.

Liam Dawson delivers the decisive blow

Dawson was England’s standout bowler, finishing with figures of 4/49 in 10 overs. His spell included the crucial wickets of Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka and Rathnayake, effectively ending Sri Lanka’s hopes.

Sonny Baker also made an important contribution, taking two wickets, while Root and other England bowlers chipped in to complete the victory.

Dawson’s performance was particularly valuable after Sri Lanka had appeared capable of mounting another successful chase of a huge total.